Bill Kostroun/APDevils defenseman Paul Martin is hit by Rangers captain Chris Drury in the first period.

The Devils' 3-2 loss to the Rangers Monday night could have been worse. They could have lost defenseman Paul Martin with a serious knee injury.

The leg-to-leg hit by Rangers captain Chris Drury in the first period left Martin stunned and temporarily sore. It also prompted defense partner Johnny Oduya to jump onto Drury, drawing a four-minute penalty for roughing. Drury got a minor for kneeing.

“I don’t think it was intentional but it was a dangerous play,” Oduya said. “Coming across, that’s how guys get hurt. I was just right there. I kind of reacted. I didn’t think that much. You get a hit low on your knee like that, I know how it feels.”

Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner didn't feel it was a dirty hit.

“That’s such a tough situation. You want to stick up for your guys,” Langenbrunner said of Oduya. “After knowing Paul was OK and the fact that they were getting a power play, he probably wishes it didn’t happen.

“Chris Drury isn’t a dirty player. I think he caught him in an awkward situation he tried to avoid.”

Martin, who said he wasn’t hurt, agreed.

“I just had a weird feeling about it at first. A little stinger,” Martin said. “As the game went on it loosened up. It kind of was (accidental). He wouldn’t do that on purpose. I don’t think.”

Drury denied any dirty play.

“I was just forechecking as hard as I could. I am not trying to hit anyone or knee anybody. I haven’t seen the tape but our video guy said I didn’t really do anything,” the Rangers captain said.

“I didn’t stick out my leg. I was just going right at him. He is so shifty, he moved out of the way and I just caught a bad part of him. I’m glad he is OK. I am certainly not trying to go knee-on-knee with anyone.”

“He wants to show he’s protecting guys,” Lemaire said. “That’s normal how a player thinks. I was surprised he got four minutes. I was more upset with the four minutes than anything else. They did the hit that could injure a player and we end up with the extra penalty.”

It proved costly to the Devils. Ales Kotalik scored a power play goal that tied the score at 2-2.